SHIPS' LIGHTS AND REGULATIONS 201
By day: Two black balls or shapes, each. 2 feet in diameter, in a
vertical line not less than 6 feet apart, to be placed where they can best
be seen.
22 Would you regard these lights and shapes as signals of distress?
No, They must be regarded as signals that the vessel showing
them is not under command, and is therefore unable to get out of the
way. This is also the case with the lights and shapes shown by vessels
engaged in laying or picking up telegraph cables.
23. If you were in a steamship, proceeding under sail only, what
signal must you show in the daytime?
A black ball 2 feet in diameter, placed forward where it can best
be seen.
24. Under the same conditions, what would you do at night?
Exhibit lights for a sailing ship.
25. If in a steamship your engines break down at night, what change
would you make in your lights?
Take down tfhe masthead light or lights; if not under command I
would hoist the two red lights, leaving the side-lights in their places
if making headway, but taking them in, if not.
26. If you see a single white light, what vessel does that denote the
presence of?
* It may be a vessel at anchor less than 150 feet in length; the stern
light of a vessel I am overtaking; the masthead light of a steamer
whose side-lights are not visible; a sailing trawler engaged in trawling;
a fishing vessel with her gear foul of some obstruction.; or a pilot vesseL
27. You see a flare-up light; what .does that indicate?
It may be a pilot vessel on her station; a ship signalling for a pilot;
a vessel trying to attract attention (Art. 12); a vessel fishing with nets
or trawls.
28. You see two white lights vertical; what vessel may that be?,
It may be a steamer approaching end on with two masthead-lights;
a steamer engaged in towing with her side-lights not visible; a vessel of
150 feet or upwards at anchor end on; a drift net vessel engaged in fishing
end on; or, a steam trawler approaching within 2 points of being end on.
H*